Configure barcode order entry

To streamline order entry, you can add wireless/Bluetooth order capture to your TAP. This method will save you time and effort in capturing orders at events and in remote sales.

What does it do?

You can connect a Bluetooth scanner to your tablet or laptop device. Your device displays the TAP. The TAP gives you real-time access to your inventory availability.

You can look up customer real-time customer records, orders, and balances. Order entry is streamlined because you can point laser scanners at your product barcodes to enter line items.

Which Scanner?

We don't recommend scanning barcodes using a camera. Although it's possible to scan barcodes, in tests at a tradeshow using a camera app, we found it difficult and time-consuming to focus on the target barcode.

We recommend a barcode scanner that uses laser technology.

Barcode Scanner is available from Amazon.com - $45 approx.

Symcode Bluetooth Wireless Barcode Scanner, Compatible with Bluetooth Function & 2.4GHz Wireless, Portable Barcode Reader

Barcode Scanner is available from Amazon.co.uk - £30 approx.

Bluetooth Barcode Scanner, Symcode 3 in 1 Portable Mini Handheld Bluetooth 2.4G Wireless USB Wired Bar Code Reader, LED/Buzzer/Vibration

What's in the box?

Box contents:

  • Wrist strap.

  • Charging and USB connection cable (USB type A or USB 3.O)

  • Bluetooth/Wireless USB dongle (modem).

  • Instruction manual

  • Scanner

Don't change any of the factory settings on your scanner. Our experience is to connect and test the scanner needs no additional settings in the scanner (Apart from the annoying noise and vibrations ;-).

What other devices will I need?

To display the TAP, you'll need a laptop computer or a tablet with Bluetooth or connectivity. Most recent devices have Bluetooth.

If your device doesn't have Bluetooth, then insert the USB dongle (see above) into your computer.

Barcode labels

You'll need Barcode labels to test the scanner. You'll also need to manually enter the Barcode values associated with your Items loaded into Salesorder on each Item Master.

You can either enter these manually or import them using the 'Import Items' template. You'll find this .xlsx template at:

Setup>Import Data>Import Items

If you previously imported your Items using this import template, you can add the barcode values as shown below to your existing import template.

If your QuickBooks company file was imported using our QuickBooks Transformer app - see this article: Get your inventory list from QuickBooks.

  1. Download this .xlsx sheet, open it, and go to the 'Stock Items' tab.

  2. Populate column 'E' with the commensurate Barcodes for each Item, just the Item code will suffice, or use the code e.g. ASIC.

  3. The upload sheet only updates changes to the values in the sheet. That is it ONLY writes differences between what is already stored in Salesorder and what is recorded on the Import template.

  4. Upload the sheet into Salesorder.

Salesorder can now cross reference your barcodes with your Item codes.

Step 1 - connect your scanner to Windows, Android, and Apple.

There are two methods to connect your scanner to your device:

  1. Via the supplied USB cable

  2. Via Bluetooth

The Bluetooth method is the most practical and flexible.

For Windows

Search for 'Bluetooth' on your Windows search. You should see 'Bluetooth and other settings' as the top result. Click on this.

  1. Check Bluetooth is turned on.

  2. Click on 'Add Bluetooth or other device'

  3. Choose 'Add a device'

  4. Click on 'Bluetooth'

  5. Your Windows device is now searching for your scanner.

  6. Turn on your scanner.

  7. Now press the 'Trigger' key (the second button) for 8 seconds until you get two blue lamps alternating on and off.

  8. 'Barcode Scanner HID' should appear in your list.

  9. Click on this name to pair the scanner with your Windows device.

  10. Using Windows 'Search', search for the Control Panel.

  11. On the Control Panel, go to 'Devices and Printers'

  12. Click 'Add Device'

  13. Windows will search for devices and eventually should list your Barcode Scanner.

  14. Double-click on the corresponding Icon.

  15. Windows will now 'Set up your device'.

  16. When completed, you are now good to go

If you don't do steps 10 thro 13, you'll get an error:

Just do steps 10 through 13 to correct this.

See Troubleshooting if you have problems with the above.

For Android or Chrome OS

Open 'Settings' on your Android device.

  1. Go to Bluetooth.

  2. Click 'Pair new Device'.

  3. Your Android device is now searching for your scanner.

  4. Turn on your scanner.

  5. Now press the 'Trigger' key (the second button) for 8 seconds until you get two blue lamps alternating on and off.

  6. 'Barcode Scanner HID' should appear in your list.

  7. Click on this name to pair the scanner with your Android device.

See Troubleshooting if you have problems with the above.

For Apple Mac, iPad, and IOS

Open 'Settings' on your Apple Device.

  1. Go to Bluetooth.

  2. Your Apple device is now searching for your scanner.

  3. Turn on your scanner.

  4. Now press the 'Trigger' key (the second button) for 8 seconds until you get two blue lamps alternating on and off.

  5. 'Barcode Scanner HID' should appear in your list.

  6. Click on this name to pair the scanner with your Apple device.

See Troubleshooting if you have problems with the above.

Step 2 - enable Barcode scanning in the TAP

You'll need to be logged in as Salesorder 'Master Admin' to access the TAP Configuration screen.

  1. Locate and click the Gear icon on the TAP login page or in the footer if you are already logged into your TAP.

  2. On the Configuration page scroll down to 'Purchasing'.

  3. Click 'Configure' to the right of the basket.html name.

  4. Check the box 'Allow barcode to scan on basket'.

  5. Click 'Save' on the Action bar.

Step 3 - test order capture with Barcode scanner

To test that your settings are all correct, log into the TAP.

  1. Click on the Basket icon at the top right-hand corner of the TAP user interface.

  2. Look for the 'Scan Barcode' button at the top of the TAP user interface.

  3. In the field adjacent to this button you should see the cursor blinking.

  4. Check your Barcode scanner is turned on.

  5. Click the 'Scan Barcode' button.

  6. Point the scanner at a Barcode label and click the trigger button.

The Item Barcode you scanned will:

  1. Populate the basket with the Item scanned.

  2. Be ready to scan the next Item.

When entering Items, always make sure the cursor is positioned and blinking in the 'SCan Barcode' field.

You are now good to go!

Make sure you train your sales teams on how to use the scanner.

See Troubleshooting if you have problems with the above.

Troubleshooting

Bluetooth can be tricky. Sometimes it pairs and sometimes it doesn't.

You'll manage to initially pair your scanner and then for some reason it won't pair.

First, try 'Forget this device' on your computer or tablet's Bluetooth-paired devices list.

For these two scanners, point your scanner at this code:

The above code will set your scanner back to how it was when you initially took it out of the box.

Now pair the scanner and your computer or tablet as shown in the pairing steps above.

Try and pair again. Then test as per step 3

There's a manual with your Symcode scanner

On page 8, you'll find:

'Initialization Settings & Version information'

This is worth a read if you're still having problems.

Last updated